Apparatus for Manufacturing Secondary Battery and Electrode Plate Cutting Unit for Manufacturing Secondary Battery

This present application claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0156596, filed on Nov. 6, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates to manufacturing a secondary battery, and more specifically, to an apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery and an electrode plate cutting unit for manufacturing a secondary battery.

Secondary batteries are batteries that can be charged and discharged, unlike primary batteries that cannot be recharged. A secondary battery may generally include an electrode assembly including a positive electrode plate, a separator, and a negative electrode plate, a case (or a can) for accommodating the electrode assembly, a substrate tab formed by extending an uncoated portion of each electrode plate of the electrode assembly, an external terminal connected to the substrate tab, and the like.

The electrode assembly accommodated in the case includes a stack type and a jelly roll type. The jelly roll type electrode assembly is manufactured by winding continuously supplied electrode plates using a winding device. The winding device includes an electrode plate cutting machine. The electrode plate cutting machine is a device for cutting an electrode plate at a designed interval and includes an upper cutter and a lower cutter. However, conventional electrode plate cutting devices cut an electrode plate, and then the electrode plate may easily deviate downwardly by the tension of a cut front end.

The herein information disclosed in this Background section is for enhancement of understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and therefore, it may contain information that does not constitute a related (or prior) art.

The present disclosure is directed to providing an apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery and an electrode plate cutting unit for manufacturing a secondary battery, which enable continuous cutting by supporting a cut front end after cutting an electrode plate to prevent the electrode plate from falling down a normal transport path.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery, which includes a transport unit configured to transport an electrode plate along a transport path, a winding unit configured to receive and wind the electrode plate transported by the transport unit, and a cutting unit having a cutting part which cuts the electrode plate that is transported, and a separation prevention part which supports a front end portion of a subsequent electrode plate, which moves toward the winding unit, in a transport direction after cut by the cutting part to prevent the subsequent electrode plate from deviating from the transport path toward the winding unit.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electrode plate cutting unit including an upper cutter installed above a transport path of an electrode plate transported along the transport path, a lower cutter installed below the transport path to cut the electrode plate, and a separation prevention part which supports a front end portion of a subsequent electrode plate cut by the upper cutter and the lower cutter to prevent the subsequent electrode plate from sagging downwardly and deviating from the transport path. Aspects and features of the present disclosure are not limited to those described herein, and other aspects and features not specifically mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the present disclosure herein.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described, in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms or words used in the present specification and claims are not to be narrowly interpreted according to their general or dictionary meanings and should be interpreted as having meanings and concepts that are consistent with the technical idea of the present disclosure on the basis of the principle that an inventor can be his/her own lexicographer to appropriately define concepts of terms to describe his/her disclosure in the best way.

The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only some embodiments of the present disclosure and do not represent all of the aspects, features, and embodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace or modify one or more embodiments or features therein described herein at the time of filing this application.

It will be understood that if an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present. When an element or layer is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. For example, if a first element is described as being “coupled” or “connected” to a second element, the first element may be directly coupled or connected to the second element or the first element may be indirectly coupled or connected to the second element via one or more intervening elements.

In the figures, dimensions of the various elements, layers, etc. may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. The same reference numerals designate the same elements. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Further, the use of “may” if describing embodiments of the present disclosure relates to “one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.” Expressions, such as “at least one of” and “any one of,” if preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. When phrases such as “at least one of A, B and C, ”at least one of A, B or C,“ ”at least one selected from a group of A, B and C,“ or ”at least one selected from among A, B and C“ are used to designate a list of elements A, B and C, the phrase may refer to any and all suitable combinations or a subset of A, B and C, such as A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. As used herein, the terms ”use,“using,” and “used” may be considered synonymous with the terms “utilize,” “utilizing,” and “utilized,” respectively. As used herein, the terms “substantially,” “about,” and similar terms are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent variations in measured or calculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another element, component, region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed herein could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachings of example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” or “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” if used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Also, any numerical range disclosed and/or recited herein is intended to include all sub-Attorney ranges of the same numerical precision subsumed within the recited range. For example, a range of “1.0 to 10.0” is intended to include all subranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1.0 and the recited maximum value of 10.0, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1.0 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10.0, such as, for example, 2.4 to 7.6. Any maximum numerical limitation recited herein is intended to include all lower numerical limitations subsumed therein, and any minimum numerical limitation recited in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limitations subsumed therein. Accordingly, Applicant reserves the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to expressly recite any sub-range subsumed within the ranges expressly recited herein. All such ranges are intended to be inherently described in this specification such that amending to expressly recite any such subranges would comply with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 112(a) and 35 U.S.C. § 132(a).

References to two compared elements, features, etc. as being “the same” may mean that they are “substantially the same.” Thus, the phrase “substantially the same” may include a case having a deviation that is considered low in the art, for example, a deviation of 5% or less. In addition, if a certain parameter is referred to as being uniform in a given region, it may mean that it is uniform in terms of an average.

Throughout the specification, unless otherwise stated, each element may be singular or plural. Arranging an arbitrary element “above (or below)” or “on (under)” another element may mean that the arbitrary element may contact the upper (or lower) surface of the element, and another element may also be interposed between the element and the arbitrary element located on (or under) the element.

In addition, it will be understood that if a component is referred to as being “linked,” “coupled,” or “connected” to another component, the elements may be directly “coupled,” “linked” or “connected” to each other, or another component may be “interposed” between the components.”

Throughout the specification, if “A and/or B” is stated, it means A, B or A and B, unless otherwise stated. That is, “and/or” includes any or all combinations of a plurality of items enumerated. When “C to D” is stated, it means C or more and D or less, unless otherwise specified.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the present disclosure.

1 FIG. is a schematic view illustrating an electrode assembly of a secondary battery which may be manufactured through an apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

10 10 10 10 a c e An electrode assemblymay be formed by winding or stacking a first electrode plate, a separator, and a second electrode plate, each of which are formed as thin plates or films.

10 10 10 In embodiments, the electrode assemblymay be a stack type rather than a winding type, and the shape of the electrode assemblyis not limited in the present disclosure. In addition, the electrode assemblymay be a Z-stack electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are inserted into both sides (e.g., opposite sides) of a separator, which is then bent (or folded) into a Z-stack

10 10 10 a e In addition, one or more electrode assemblies may be stacked (e.g., arranged) such that long sides of the electrode assemblies are adjacent to each other and accommodated in a case, and the number of electrode assemblies in a case is not limited in the present disclosure. The first electrode plateof the electrode assemblymay act as a negative electrode, and the second electrode platemay act as a positive electrode. Of course, the reverse is also possible.

10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 a aa g g g g c The first electrode platemay be formed by applying (e.g., coating or depositing) a first electrode active material, such as graphite or carbon, onto a first electrode substrate formed of a metal foil, such as copper, a copper alloy, nickel, or a nickel alloy. The first electrode platemay include a first electrode tab 10g (e.g., a first uncoated portion), which is a region to which the first electrode active material is not applied. The first electrode tabmay be connected to an external first terminal. In some embodiments, when the first electrode plateis manufactured, the first electrode tabmay be formed by being cut in advance to protrude to (or protrude from) one side of the electrode assembly, or the first electrode tabmay protrude to one side of the electrode assemblymore than (e.g., farther than or beyond) the separatorwithout being separately cut.

10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 e e h h h e e c The second electrode platemay be formed by applying (e.g., coating or depositing) a second electrode active material, such as a transition metal oxide, onto a second electrode substrate formed of a metal foil, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The second electrode platemay include a second electrode tab(e.g., a second uncoated portion), which is a region to which the second electrode active material is not applied. The second electrode tabmay be connected to an external second terminal. In some embodiments, the second electrode tabmay be formed by being cut in advance to protrude to the other side (e.g., the opposite side) of the electrode assemblywhen the second electrode plateis manufactured, or the second electrode platemay protrude to the other side of the electrode assembly more than (e.g., farther than or beyond) the separatorwithout being separately cut.

10 10 10 10 c a e c The separatorprevents a short-circuit between the first electrode plateand the second electrode platewhile allowing movement of lithium ions therebetween. The separatormay be made of, for example, a polyethylene film, a polypropylene film, a polyethylene-polypropylene film, or the like.

10 10 10 2 FIG. 3 5 FIGS.and In some embodiments, the electrode assemblymay be accommodated in a case along with an electrolyte. In a pouch-type secondary battery, an electrode assemblymay be accommodated in a pouch made of flexible material (see, e.g.,). In a cylindrical or prismatic secondary battery, an electrode assemblymay be accommodated in a cylindrical or prismatic metal casing (see, e.g.,).

A description is given of materials that can be used for the electrode plate of the herein electrode assembly.

As the positive electrode active material, a compound capable of reversibly intercalating/deintercalating lithium (e.g., a lithiated intercalation compound) may be used. For example, at least one of a composite oxide of lithium and a metal selected from cobalt, manganese, nickel, and combinations thereof may be used.

The composite oxide may be a lithium transition metal composite oxide, and examples thereof may include a lithium nickel-based oxide, a lithium cobalt-based oxide, a lithium manganese-based oxide, a lithium iron phosphate-based compound, a cobalt-free nickel-manganese-based oxide, or a combination thereof.

a 1 1-b b 2-c c a 2-b b 4-c c a 1-b-c b c 2-α α ( a 1-b-c a b c d e 2 a b 2 a b 2 a 1-b b 2 a 2 b 4 a 1-g g 4 3-f 2 4 3 a 4 1 As an example, a compound represented by any one of the following formulas may be used: LiAAXOD(0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤b≤0.5, 0≤c≤0.05); LiMnXOD(0.90≤a1.8, 0≤b≤≤0.5, 0≤c≤0.05); LiNiCoXOD0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤b≤0.5, 0≤c≤0.5, 0<α<2; LiNi(0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤b≤0.5, 0≤c≤0.5, 0<α<2); LiNiCoLGO(0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤b≤0.9, 0≤c≤0.5, 0≤d≤0.5, 0≤e≤0.1); LiNiGO(0.90≤a≤1.8, 0.001≤b≤0.1); LiCoGO(0.90≤a≤1.8, 0.001—b≤0.1); LiMnGO(0.90≤a≤1.8, 0.001≤b≤0.1); LiMmGO(0.90≤a≤1.8, 0.001≤b≤0.1); LiMnGPO(0.90≤a≤1.8, 0≤g≤0.5); LiFe(PO)(0≤f≤2); LiFePO(0.90≤a≤1.8).

In the herein formulas: A is Ni, Co, Mn, or a combination thereof; X is Al, Ni, Co, Mn, Cr, Fe, Mg, Sr, V, a rare earth element, or a combination thereof; D is O, F, S, P, or a combination thereof; G is Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Mg, La, Ce, Sr, V, or a combination thereof; and L1 is Mn, Al, or a combination thereof.

A positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery may include a substrate and a positive electrode active material layer formed on the substrate. The positive electrode active material layer may include a positive electrode active material and may further include a binder and/or a conductive material.

The content of the positive electrode active material is in a range of about 90 wt % to about 99.5 wt % on the basis of 100 wt % of the positive electrode active material layer, and the content of the binder and the conductive material is in a range of about 0.5 wt % to about 5 wt %, respectively, on the basis of 100 wt % of the positive electrode active material layer.

The substrate may be aluminum (Al) but is not limited thereto.

The negative electrode active material may include a material capable of reversibly intercalating/deintercalating lithium ions, lithium metal, an alloy of lithium metal, a material capable of being doped and undoped with lithium, or a transition metal oxide.

The material capable of reversibly intercalating/deintercalating lithium ions may be a carbon-based negative electrode active material, which may include, for example, crystalline carbon, amorphous carbon, or a combination thereof. Examples of the crystalline carbon may include graphite, such as natural graphite or artificial graphite, and examples of the amorphous carbon may include soft carbon, hard carbon, a pitch carbide, a meso-phase pitch carbide, sintered coke, and the like.

x 2 A Si-based negative electrode active material or a Sn-based negative electrode active material may be used as the material capable of being doped and undoped with lithium. The Si-based negative electrode active material may be silicon, a silicon-carbon composite, SiO(0<x≤), a Si-based alloy, or a combination thereof.

The silicon-carbon composite may be a composite of silicon and amorphous carbon. According to one embodiment, the silicon-carbon composite may be in the form of a silicon particle and amorphous carbon coated on the surface of the silicon particle.

The silicon-carbon composite may further include crystalline carbon. For example, the silicon-carbon composite may include a core including crystalline carbon and silicon particles and an amorphous carbon coating layer on the surface of the core.

A negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery may include a substrate and a negative electrode active material layer disposed on the substrate. The negative electrode active material layer may include a negative electrode active material and may further include a binder and/or a conductive material.

For example, the negative electrode active material layer may include about 90 wt % to about 99 wt % of a negative electrode active material, about 0.5 wt % to about 5 wt % of a binder, and about 0 wt % to about 5 wt % of a conductive material.

A non-aqueous binder, an aqueous binder, a dry binder, or a combination thereof may be used as the binder. When an aqueous binder is used as the negative electrode binder, a cellulose-based compound capable of imparting viscosity may be further included.

As the negative electrode substrate, one selected from copper foil, nickel foil, stainless steel foil, titanium foil, nickel foam, copper foam, conductive metal-coated polymer substrate, and combinations thereof may be used.

An electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery may include a non-aqueous organic solvent and a lithium salt.

The non-aqueous organic solvent acts as a medium through which ions involved in the electrochemical reaction of the battery can move.

The non-aqueous organic solvent may be a carbonate-based, an ester-based, an ether-based, a ketone-based, an alcohol-based solvent, an aprotic solvent, and may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

In addition, when a carbonate-based solvent is used, a mixture of cyclic carbonate and chain carbonate may be used.

Depending on the type of lithium secondary battery, a separator may be present between the first electrode plate (e.g., the negative electrode) and the second electrode plate (e.g., the positive electrode). As the separator, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, or a multilayer film including two or more layers thereof may be used.

The separator may include a porous substrate and a coating layer including an organic material, an inorganic material, or a combination thereof on one or both surfaces of the porous substrate.

The organic material may include a polyvinylidene fluoride-based polymer or a (meth)acrylic polymer.

2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 a 3 2 The inorganic material may include inorganic particles selected from AlO, SiO, TiO, SnO, CeO, MgO, NiO, CaO, GaO, ZnO, ZrO, YO, SrTiO, BTiO, Mg(OH), Boehmite, and combinations thereof but is not limited thereto.

The organic material and the inorganic material may be mixed in one coating layer or may be in the form of a coating layer including (or containing) an organic material and a coating layer including (or containing) an inorganic material that are stacked on each other.

2 FIG. 1 FIG. is a view illustrating an interior of a pouch-type battery to which the electrode assembly ofis applied.

10 11 10 a The pouch-type secondary battery includes an electrode assemblyand a pouchthat accommodates the electrode assembly.

10 11 10 11 11 11 11 11 11 1 FIG. g h b c b c d a. The electrode assemblyis the same as that illustrated in. The first electrode tab 11and the second electrode tabof the electrode assemblymay be electrically connected to respective external first and second terminal leadsandby welding. Each of the first terminal leadand the second terminal leadmay be attached with a tab filmfor insulation from the pouch

11 11 10 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 a e d e e a a d e. The pouchmay be sealed by having sealing partsat the edges thereof come into contact with each other with accommodating the electrode assemblytherein, in which case the scaling may be achieved with the tab filminterposed between the sealing parts. The sealing partsof the pouchmay each be made of a thermal fusion material that generally has weak adhesion to metal. Thus, it may be fused to the pouchby interposing the thin tab filmbetween the sealing parts

3 FIG. is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cylindrical battery manufactured through the apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 a p a v p p n a v The cylindrical batteryincludes an electrode assembly, a caseaccommodating the electrode assemblyand an electrolyte therein, a cap assemblycoupled to an opening of the caseto seal the case, and an insulating platepositioned between the electrode assemblyand the cap assemblyinside the case.

13 13 13 13 a d c e The electrode assemblymay include a separatorand a first electrodeand a second electrodepositioned with the separator interposed therebetween and may be wound in a jelly-roll shape.

13 13 13 13 c j j v. The first electrodeincludes a first substrate and a first active material layer on the first substrate. A first lead tabmay extend outwardly from a first uncoated portion of the first substrate at where the first active material layer is not located, and the first lead tabmay be electrically connected to the cap assembly

13 13 13 10 13 13 e k k j k The second electrodeincludes a second substrate and a second active material layer on the second substrate. A second lead tabmay extend outwardly from a second uncoated portion of the second substrate at where the second active material layer is not located, and the second lead tabmay be electrically connected to the case. The first lead taband the second lead tabmay extend in opposite directions.

13 13 c e The first electrodemay act as a positive electrode. In such an embodiment, the first substrate may be made of, for example, an aluminum foil, and the first active material layer may include, for example, a transition metal oxide. The second electrodemay act as a negative electrode. In such an embodiment, the second substrate may be made of, for example, a copper foil or a nickel foil, and the second active material layer may include graphite, for example.

13 13 d c The separatorprevents a short circuit between the first electrodeand the second

13 13 e d electrodewhile allowing movement of lithium ions therebetween. The separatormay be made of, for example, a polyethylene film, a polypropylene film, a polyethylene-polypropylene film, or the like.

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 p a v p r q r f r r. The caseaccommodates the electrode assemblyand, together with the cap assembly, forms the external appearance of the secondary battery. The casemay have a substantially cylindrical body portionand a bottom portionconnected to one side (e.g., to one end) of the body portion. A beading part(e.g., a bead) deformed inwardly may be formed in the body portion, and a crimping part 13g (e.g., a crimp) bent inwardly may be formed at an open end of the body portion

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 f a p h v g v v h p The beading partcan reduce or prevent movement of the electrode assemblyinside the caseand can facilitate seating of the gasketand the cap assembly. The crimping partmay firmly fix the cap assemblyby pressing the edge of the cap assemblyagainst the gasket. The casemay be formed of steel plated with nickel, for example.

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 v g h p v s u The cap assemblymay be fixed to the inside of the crimping partby the gasketto seal the case. The cap assemblymay include a cap up 13w, a safety vent, a cap down 13t, an insulating member, and a subplate, but is not limited to these examples and may be modified in various ways.

13 13 13 w v w The cap upmay be positioned at the uppermost part of the cap assembly. The cap upmay include a terminal part that protrudes upwardly and is connected to an external circuit, and an outlet for discharging gas may be arranged around the terminal part.

13 13 13 13 s w. s u The safety ventmay be located under the cap upThe safety ventmay include a protrusion part that protrudes convexly downwardly and is connected to the sub plate, and at least one notch may be formed in the safety vent around the protrusion part.

13 13 13 u s s When gas is generated due to overcharging or abnormal operation of the secondary battery, the protrusion part is deformed upwardly by the pressure and separates from the sub platewhile the safety ventis cut (e.g., bursts or tears) along the notch. The cut safety ventmay prevent the secondary battery from exploding by allowing for the gas to be discharged to the outside.

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 t s t s s t s t. The cap downmay be below the safety vent. The cap downmay have a first opening for exposing the protrusion part of the safety ventand a second opening for gas discharge. The insulating member may be positioned between the safety ventand the cap downto insulate the safety ventand the cap down

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 u t u t t s u j a u w s t u c a. The sub platemay be under the cap down. The sub platemay be fixed to a lower surface of the cap downto block the first opening of the cap down, and the protrusion part of the safety ventmay be fixed to the sub plate. The first lead tab, which is drawn out from the electrode assembly, may be fixed to the sub plate. Accordingly, the cap up, the safety vent, the cap down, and the sub platemay be electrically connected to the first electrodeof the electrode assembly

13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 n a n j v c j a n a m a q p. The insulating platemay be positioned to be in contact with the electrode assemblybelow the beading part. The insulating platemay have a tab opening through which the first lead tabis drawn out. The cap assembly, which is electrically connected to the first electrodeby the first lead tab, may face the electrode assemblywith the insulating plateinterposed therebetween and may maintain a state of being insulated (e.g., electrically insulated) from the electrode assemblyby the insulating plate. Meanwhile, another insulating platemay be included for insulation between the electrode assemblyand the bottom portionof the case

4 FIG. is a perspective view illustrating an exterior of a prismatic battery which may be manufactured through the apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

15 15 a a A caseforms the overall appearance of a prismatic battery and may be formed of a conductive metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, or nickel-plated steel. In addition, the casemay provide a space for accommodating an electrode assembly therein.

15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 b c a a c d e c. A cap assemblymay include a cap platethat covers the opening of the case. In some examples, the caseand the cap platemay be made of a conductive material. Here, a first terminaland a second terminalmay be electrically connected to respective positive and negative (or negative and positive) electrodes inside the case, and may be installed to protrude outward through the cap plate

15 15 15 15 15 f c h g h An electrolyte inletmay be formed in the cap plate, a gas discharge hole 15g may be opened, and a vent, i.e., a gas discharge devicemay be connected to the gas discharge hole. The gas discharge deviceis opened by gas generated inside the battery and performs a degassing function.

5 FIG. 4 FIG. is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in.

13 15 15 15 a r r r An electrode assemblymay be formed by winding or stacking a first electrode plate, a separator, and a second electrode plate. When the electrode assemblyis a wound type, a winding axis may be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the case. In some other embodiments, the electrode assemblyis a stack type rather than a winding type. The shape of the electrode assemblyis not limited in the present disclosure.

15 15 15 r r r In addition, the electrode assemblymay be a Z-stack electrode assembly in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are inserted into both sides of a separator, which is then bent into a Z-stack. In addition, one or more electrode assembliesmay be stacked such that long sides of the electrode assemblies are adjacent to each other and accommodated in the case, and the number of electrode assemblies in the case is not limited in the present disclosure. The first electrode plate of the electrode assemblymay act as a negative electrode, and the second electrode plate may act as a positive electrode. Of course, the reverse is also possible.

43 15 15 15 p m. p The first electrode plate may be formed by applying a first electrode active material, such as graphite, carbon, or the like, to a first electrode current collector formed of a metal foil, such as copper, a copper alloy, nickel, a nickel alloy, or the like. The first electrode plate may include a first electrode tab(e.g., a first uncoated portion) that is a region to which the first electrode active material is not applied. The first electrode tabmay act as a current flow path between the first electrode plate and the first current collectorIn some embodiments, when the first electrode plate is manufactured, the first electrode tabis formed by being cut in advance to protrude to one side of the electrode assembly, or the first electrode tab protrudes to one side of the electrode assembly more than (e.g., farther than or beyond) the separator without being separately cut.

15 15 15 15 q q n q The second electrode plate may be formed by applying a second electrode active material, such as a transition metal oxide, on a second electrode current collector formed of a metal foil, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The second electrode plate may include a second electrode tab(e.g., a second uncoated portion) that is a region to which the second electrode active material is not applied. The second electrode tabmay act as a current flow path between the second electrode plate and the second current collector. In some embodiments, the second electrode tabmay be formed by being cut in advance to protrude to the other side (e.g., the opposite side) of the electrode assembly when the second electrode plate is manufactured, or the second electrode plate may protrude to the other side of the electrode assembly more than (e.g., farther than or beyond) the separator without being separately cut.

5 FIG. 15 15 15 15 15 15 p q r p q r. In, the first electrode taband the second electrode tabare illustrated as being positioned on the right side and the left side of the electrode assembly, respectively. However, in some other embodiments, both the first electrode taband the second electrode tabmay be positioned together on the right side or the left side of the electrode assembly

15 15 15 15 15 r r n m r 5 FIG. Here, the left side and the right side of the electrode assemblyare based on the battery illustrated infor convenience of explanation. The left side refers to the side of the vertical surface of the electrode assemblyto which the second current collectoris joined, and the right side refers to the opposite side to which the first current collectoris joined. Therefore, the terms “left side” and “right side” of the electrode assemblyused herein may vary when the battery rotates left and right or up and down.

The separator prevents or substantially reduces instances of a short circuit between the first electrode and the second electrode while allowing movement of lithium ions therebetween. The separator may be made of, for example, a polyethylene film, a polypropylene film, a polyethylene-polypropylene film, or the like.

15 15 r a In some embodiments, an electrode assemblyis accommodated in the casealong with an electrolyte.

15 15 15 15 15 r m n p q In the electrode assembly, the first current collectorand the second current collectormay be welded and connected to the first electrode tabextending from the first electrode plate and the second electrode tabextending from the second electrode plate, respectively.

5 FIG. m n d e k k d e k d e 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 As illustrated in, the first current collector 15and the second current collectorare connected to the first terminaland the second terminalthrough connection members, respectively. In some embodiments, the connection membersmay each have an outer peripheral surface that is threaded, and may be fastened to the first terminaland the second terminalby screwing. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the connection membersmay also be coupled to the first terminaland the second terminalby riveting or welding.

6 10 FIGS.to 20 30 are views for describing a configuration and operation method of an apparatusfor manufacturing a secondary battery to which a cutting unitis applied according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

20 As illustrated, the apparatusfor manufacturing a secondary battery according to the present embodiment may include a transport unit, a winding unit, the cutting unit, and a separation prevention part.

21 23 23 21 21 21 24 The transport unit may transport an electrode plate, which is a cutting target, along a predetermined transport path and include a plurality of transport rollers. Some transport rollersare rollers having a driving force, and the remaining rollers do not have a driving force and may serve to only support the electrode platetightly. The electrode platehas a predetermined width and is a stack formed of a substrate and a mixture. The electrode platemay be continuously transported along the transport path provided by the transport unit and wound around the winding unit.

24 26 21 21 24 24 21 The winding unitmay be rotated by power received from a winding unit driverto wind the electrode plate. The electrode platewound around the winding unitmay be drawn out by an operator and move to a subsequent process. The winding unitmay include a winding turret winding the electrode plate.

26 28 26 28 24 28 26 28 30 28 43 55 The winding unit drivermay be controlled by a control unit. The winding unit drivermay be operated by a control signal of the control unitto rotate or not rotate the winding unit. The control unitmay control the on/off and rotational speed of the winding unit driver. In addition, the control unitmay transmit the control signal to the cutting unit. That is, the control unitmay be connected to an upper cutter driving moduleand a first guide driving part, which will be described herein, to transmit the control signal.

30 21 21 21 Meanwhile, the cutting unitmay cut the electrode platebeing transported into a predetermined length unit. Since the jelly roll-type electrode assembly is formed by winding the electrode plate, a cutting length of the electrode platemay vary depending on a diameter of the jelly roll being manufactured.

21 30 24 21 24 21 24 The electrode platecut by the cutting unitmay be wound around the winding unitand then drawn out to the outside. In addition, the electrode plateto be newly wound around the winding unitamong the cut electrode plates, that is, a “subsequent electrode plate,” is newly wound in a state of being fixed on the empty winding unit.

21 24 21 24 21 24 b a 9 FIG. 9 FIG. In this description, the subsequent electrode plate(see) is an electrode plate following a “preceding electrode plate” wound around the winding unitbased on a time point at which a cutting portion of the electrode plate, which is continuously transported while being wound around the winding unit, is cut. In addition, a preceding electrode plate(see) is wound around the winding unitto form one jelly roll. In addition, the subsequent electrode plate starts being newly wound around the winding unit.

40 50 Meanwhile, the cutting unit may include a cutting part and a separation prevention part. The cutting part may comprise an upper cutter installed above the transport path of the electrode plate, and a lower cutter installed below the transport path to cut the electrode plate through cross motion with the upper cutter. In addition, the cutting part may include an upper cutting partand a lower cutting part.

40 41 43 41 41 21 41 43 40 21 a The upper cutting partmay include an upper cutterand the upper cutter driving module. The upper cutteris a blade in which a cutting edgeis formed at one side of a lower end portion thereof and may be installed to move upwardly and downwardly above the transport path of the electrode plate. The upward and downward movements of the upper cuttermay be implemented by the upper cutter driving module. In another embodiment, a stripper may be additionally applied to the upper cutting partto elastically support the electrode plate.

50 51 51 41 21 51 51 51 21 41 51 a In addition, the lower cutting partmay include a lower cutter. The lower cuttermay be disposed vertically under the upper cutterwith the electrode plateinterposed therebetween. The lower cuttermay have a cutting edgeon an upper end portion thereof. The lower cuttermay cut the electrode platethrough cross motion with the upper cutter. In another embodiment, a stripper that elastically supports the electrode plate upwardly may be additionally mounted on a side portion of the lower cutter.

21 b The separation prevention part may support a front end portion of the subsequent electrode platein a transport direction to prevent the front end portion from sagging downwardly due to an action of gravity. That is, the separation prevention part supports the front end portion of the subsequent electrode plate in the transport direction toward the winding unit after cut by the cutting unit to prevent the electrode plate from deviating from the transport path toward the winding unit.

53 55 53 51 51 51 53 21 55 53 The separation prevention part may include a lower moving guideand the first guide driving part. The lower moving guidemay support the lower cutterwhile installed on the side portion of the lower cutterand (e.g., vertically) move upwardly and downwardly. The lower cuttermay be supported by the lower moving guideto firmly maintain the fixed state without shaking when cutting the electrode plate. The first guide driving partmay be configured to move the lower moving guideupwardly and downwardly.

53 21 21 53 21 21 53 b b 10 FIG. In addition, the lower moving guidewaits under the transport path of the electrode plate, and when cutting the electrode plate, the lower moving guidemay move upwardly to support the front end portion of the subsequent electrode platein the transport direction as illustrated in. The reason for supporting the front end portion is to prevent the front end portion from falling downwardly due to the action of gravity. That is, the subsequent electrode plateis prevented from deviating from the normal transport path. A shape of the lower moving guidewhich may perform such a role may be changed through various embodiments.

55 53 21 21 b. The first guide driving part.may simultaneously move the lower moving guideupwardly when the upper cutter moves upwardly after the cutting unit (e.g., the cutting part of the cutting unit) cuts the electrode plateso that the lower moving guide to provide an upward support force to the front end portion of the subsequent electrode plate

20 An operation of the apparatusfor manufacturing a secondary battery, which has the herein configuration, may be performed as follows.

6 FIG. 7 8 FIGS.and 21 24 41 53 21 41 43 21 21 21 21 a b. First, as illustrated in, the electrode plateis transported in a direction of arrow a and wound around the winding unit. In this case, the upper cuttermay be moved upwardly, and the lower moving guidemay be moved downwardly. As described herein, when a point at which the electrode platetransports and then is cut is positioned between the upper and lower cutters, the upper cuttermay move downwardly through the upper cutter driving moduleand cut the electrode plateas illustrated in. The electrode platemay be cut and divided into the preceding electrode plateand the subsequent electrode plate

21 24 21 51 21 a b 9 FIG. After the herein process is finished, the preceding electrode platemay be wound around the winding unit, and the subsequent electrode platemay be positioned above the lower cutter, as illustrated in, by the action of the tension continuously applied to the electrode plate.

21 41 53 53 21 a b 10 FIG. In addition, immediately after the electrode plateis cut, as illustrated in, the upper cutterand the lower moving guidemay move upwardly. The lower moving guidecan prevent the subsequent electrode platefrom sagging or rolling downwardly while moving in the transport direction.

11 13 FIGS.to 20 are views illustrating another example of the apparatusfor manufacturing a secondary battery according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, the same reference numerals as the herein reference numerals denote the same members having the same functions, and overlapping description thereof will be omitted.

30 57 58 57 58 57 As illustrated, the cutting unitmay include an upper moving guideand a second guide driving part. The upper moving guideand the second guide driving partmay serve as the herein separation prevention part. The upper moving guidemay be positioned above the transport path of the electrode plate.

57 41 57 58 58 28 The upper moving guidemay be installed to move upwardly and downwardly on a side portion of the upper cutter. The upper moving guidemay be moved upwardly and downwardly by the second guide driving part. The second guide driving partmay be operated upon receiving the control signal of the control unit.

20 21 41 51 41 41 21 11 13 FIGS.to 11 FIG. An operation of the apparatusfor manufacturing a secondary battery illustrated inmay be performed as follows. First, as illustrated in, the electrode plateis transported along the transport path. While the electrode plate is transported, when a point at which the electrode plate is cut is positioned between the upper cutterand the lower cutter, the upper cuttermoves downwardly and performs cutting at a cutting target point. The upper cuttermay return to an original position thereof by moving upwardly immediately after cutting the electrode plate.

41 57 58 57 21 57 21 21 13 FIG. b b b In addition, while the upper cuttermoves upwardly, the upper moving guidemay be moved downwardly by the second guide driving partand, as illustrated in, the upper moving guidemay support the front end portion of the subsequent electrode plate, so that the upper moving guideprovides an upward support force to the front end portion of the subsequent electrode plate. That is, the front end portion of the subsequent electrode platecan be prevented from sagging or rolling downwardly.

14 16 FIGS.to are views illustrating still another example of the apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

14 16 FIGS.to 61 30 As illustrated in, a lower fixed guidemay be further installed in the cutting unit.

61 51 51 61 51 21 51 The lower fixed guidemay be a fixed structure that is positioned on the side portion of the lower cutterto fixedly support the lower cutter. For example, the lower fixed guidesupports the lower cutterwhen cutting the electrode plateto prevent the lower cutterfrom shaking.

61 57 57 57 57 61 In addition, the lower fixed guidemay be positioned vertically under the upper moving guide. When the upper moving guidemoves downwardly, the upper moving guide(e.g., a lower end portion of the upper moving guide) may be in contact with the lower fixed guide.

16 FIG. 61 57 21 21 61 57 21 b b b As illustrated in, the lower fixed guideand the upper moving guidemay temporarily hold and fix a part of the front end portion of the subsequent electrode plate. The front end portion of the subsequent electrode platemay be simultaneously supported by the lower fixed guideand the upper moving guide. Since the subsequent electrode plateis doubly supported, the subsequent electrode plate can be supported more stably.

17 19 FIGS.to 17 19 FIGS.to 14 16 FIGS.to 19 FIG. 30 30 57 21 61 b are views illustrating yet another example of the apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery according to embodiments of the present disclosure. A structure of the cutting unitofis the same as that of the cutting unitof. However, as illustrated in, there is a difference in that the upper moving guidesupports the front end portion of the subsequent electrode platewhile in contact with an upper end portion of the lower fixed guide.

20 22 FIGS.to 20 are views illustrating yet another example of the apparatusfor manufacturing a secondary battery according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

63 41 63 53 63 53 53 21 53 63 22 FIG. b As illustrated, the upper fixed guidemay be fixedly mounted on the side portion of the upper cutter. The upper fixed guidemay be positioned vertically above the lower moving guide. In addition, the upper fixed guidemay be in contact with the lower moving guidewhen the lower moving guidemoves upwardly. In addition, as illustrated in, the front end portion of the subsequent electrode platemay be held and supported between the lower moving guideand the upper fixed guide.

23 FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modified example of a moving guide included in the apparatusfor manufacturing a secondary battery according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

23 FIG. 53 57 71 53 57 As illustrated in, surfaces of the lower moving guideor the upper moving guidemay be coated with an antistatic layer. The antistatic layer may serve to prevent slipping due to static electricity during operation. In another embodiment, the lower moving guideand the upper moving guidemay be subjected to an antistatic treatment without being coated with the antistatic layer.

24 FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modified example of a fixed guide included in the apparatusfor manufacturing a secondary battery according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

61 63 71 71 61 63 71 As illustrated, surfaces of the lower fixed guideand the upper fixed guidemay also be coated with the antistatic layer. The antistatic layermay serve to prevent slipping due to static electricity during operation. In another embodiment, the lower fixed guideand the upper fixed guidemay not be coated with the antistatic layerand may be directly subjected to an antistatic treatment.

According to an apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery and an electrode plate cutting unit for manufacturing a secondary battery formed as described herein, by supporting a cut front end after cutting an electrode plate to prevent the electrode plate from falling down a normal transport path, it is possible to enable continuous cutting and prevent productivity from being lowered.

Although the present disclosure has been described herein with respect to embodiments thereof, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Various modifications and variations can be made thereto by those skilled in the art within the spirit of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.